Examining Safety Behaviors of Highway Construction Workers
2026
Download PaperDOI: https://doi.org/10.60164/4a1vi215r
Authors: Nhien Le, Steven Stennett, Daniel Tran
Citation:
Le, N., Stennett, S., Tran, D. (2026). Examining Safety Behaviors of Highway Construction Workers. Lean Construction Journal 2026 Special Issue CRC-CSCE pp 209-229 https://doi.org/10.60164/4a1vi215r (Submitted 10Jan2026; Accepted 16Sep2026) www.leanconstructionjournal.org
Abstract:
Purpose: Highway construction remains one of the most hazardous sectors in the U.S., with safety incidents frequently attributed to behavioral and procedural failures. To enhance compliance, safety incentive and disincentive programs have been implemented across state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), yet their effectiveness varies based on workers’ perceptions of fairness, attainability, and relevance. This study examines which elements of these programs highway construction workers find most effective and develops a behavioral safety framework grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior.
Research Method: The methodology includes a comprehensive literature review, an in-depth analysis of safety programs from all 50 DOTs, and structured interviews with six DOT safety experts. In addition, the study proposes a new safety framework, which is then verified through an iterative process involving expert feedback, refinement, and validation across multiple review cycles.
Findings: Analysis of safety programs across 50 state DOTs reveals that 32 state DOTs have safety incentive programs, with states like Arizona achieving a 20% reduction in work zone incidents through contractor bonuses, while Missouri’s telematics-based enforcement led to a 99.5% decrease in speeding violations. Interviews with six DOT safety managers indicate mixed program effectiveness, with some states transitioning from punitive measures to education-focused models. The framework developed in this study consists of five stages: need identification, worker engagement, program assessment, strategic deployment, and continuous evaluation. Key findings emphasize the importance of financial incentives, real-time monitoring technologies, and continuous training in improving compliance and reducing incidents.
Limitations: This research has several limitations that warrant future research. First, there is a need to conduct case studies to further verify the framework results and suggestions for implementation. Second, the effectiveness of the framework is contingent upon the availability of timely, accurate, and consistent feedback from both field workers and management personnel. However, such feedback mechanisms may be compromised by communication gaps, limited technological integration, or inconsistencies in data collection and reporting practices. Third, while the framework is grounded in effective practices and verified through secondary data sources, it has not yet been extensively tested under real-time, high-risk construction environments, conditions that often reveal operational complexities not evident in theoretical or small-scale applications.
Implications: This study offers DOTs an adaptable, data-driven framework to foster proactive safety behaviors and achieve sustainable safety improvements in highway construction. The development of this framework is grounded in a comprehensive synthesis of scholarly literature, best national practices from desk scans, and in-depth interviews with state DOT officials.
Keywords: safety behavior, highway construction, injury, and fatality
Paper type: Full paper